Improvement in copying-books



c. R. MILLER. co in Bobks.

Patented July 28,1874" [ml/Hi nwffdinflw l B] E5 5 E5 (HE GRAPHIFCO. PHOTO-T138141 PARK PLACE,N.Y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLEMENT R. MILLER, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COPYING-BOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,595, dated July 28, 1874; application filed June 24, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLEMENT R. MILLER, of Allegheny City, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Copying 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a book and pressing devices, the book being closed. Fig. 2 is a view of the book open, showing the manner of applying the pressing devices for copying; and Fig. 3 is a detached view of the pressing devices on a smaller scale.

This invention relates to devices employed for copying writing, and consists in a 00inbination of devices for subjecting the manuscript to pressure in contact with bibulous paper, which is to receive the impression; said devices being a sheet of oilcloth or other suitable flexible material, preferably water-proof, attached at one end to a suitable roller, and at the other end to a metallic plate or bed piece, carrying devices by which the roll is secured in certain fixed positions, the whole so constructed and adapted as to be used in conjunction with a book having leaves of bibulous paper, and so formed as to permit of ready and compact stowage of the pressing devices.

The object of this invention is to provide a means whereby a copy can be readily and conveniently made, and the whole devices be of such a nature as to be readily and conveniently packed so as to occupy little space when not in use.

In the drawings referred to, A indicates a book of the usual form, with the exception that the edge a will be hollowed out to such an extent as to enable the roll B to rest between the book and clasp, as seen in Fig. 1. This book is provided with leaves of the usual bibulous paper for making copies, and in conjunction therewith I make use of the blottingpads and oil-paper, or other means suitable for taking up surplus moisture while making a copy. 0 represents a piece of oil-cloth, or other suitable flexible material, preferably water-proof, and of a size corresponding with the leaves of the book, said flexible material being attached at one end to a roller, B, by means of a clampingpiece, b, or in other suitable manner, and the other end attached to the metallic plate D. B indicates the roll,which is used, together with the fabric, in rolling the copy to take an impression. This roll is provided at the end'with disks b having small holes therein in which take catches cl upon the bed or plate D, for the purpose of securing the rolls in a certain position, as will be hereinafter specified. D represents a metallic plate or bed-piece, which may be of any suitable material, preferably metal, because thereby strength and lightness are obtained. To said plate are attached catches or hooks d at the four corners, or other points, if desired, which take into the openings in the disks on the ends of the roll, so as to secure the roll. The flexible material may be attached to the bed or plate, if the plate is of metal, by turning down a portion thereof, or if other mate rial in any other suitable way, the object of the bed being simply to give an even surface to permit of close and firm rolling of the copy and bibulous paper, to obtain sufficient pressure. This bed or plate is in proportion to the size of the book with which it is to be used, and packed so that it may be closed'within the same.

The method of using the devices is as follows: When it is desirable to take an impression or copy of any letter, I first moisten one or more of the bibulous leaves of the book by passing over it, or them, a damp sponge or wet one of the pads, and I then place the writing paper, together with the moistened pad or leaf of the bibulous paper, or the moistened leaf to which the writing is to be transferred, between suitable pads passing beneath the layers thus formed, the metallic plate D, and the flexible material. I proceed to roll the whole tightly upon the roller 1), with evenness and firmness, which will give me sufficient pressure for obtaining a copy. The roll is thus brought down into position upon the bed or metallic plate D, as seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing, where it may be securely held for as long a time as may be desirable, by causing the catches d to take into the holes in the disks on the ends of the roll B, which will clamp it against the bed,

preventing it from unrolling. After sufficient 1 time has elapsed to obtain the transfer the several layers may be unrolled and the pads removed, and a fair and legible copy will be found to have been obtained. In packing the book, when not in use, the pads, together with the bed, may be placed Within the book, the roll being brought down so as to keep the position over the leaves and beneath the clasp, as seen in Fig. 1, when the Whole will form a compact article.

The advantages of this invention are that heavy presses and similar cumbersome ap paratus are dispensed with, and a simple and compact letter-press is obtained, whereby copies of correspondence can be had at any and all times, and can be made with but little trouble. This is also a desirable article Where the business of the ofiice does not warrant the purchase of a larger and more expensive copying apparatu s.

I am aware that the roller and apron have been combined with a bed-p1ate, and provided with devices for holding the roller in position and also that the roller and apron have been combined with a book and devices for holding the roller in position; these I do not claim. The first is not adapted to be packed with the book, and the second does not give a sufficiently firm bed for the purposes intended. By my invention the requisites of a copyingpress are fulfilled and a compact article is obtained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The pressing devices consisting of the roll B, apron C, and metallic plate or bed D, combined and adapted to be used with the book A, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said CLEMENT R. MILLER, have hereunto set my hand.

CLEMENT R. MILLER.

Witnesses:

T. B. KERR, F. W. BITTER, Jr. 

